Release Detail

July 27, 2005 - Supreme Court Nominee Should Speak Up On Abortion,
U.S. Voters Tell Quinnipiac University National Poll;
Bush Approval Drops To New Low

By a 61 - 32 percent margin, American voters say U.S. Supreme Court nominee John
Roberts should publicly state his position on abortion, but voters are divided on whether the
Senate should refuse to confirm Roberts if he doesn't speak up, according to a Quinnipiac
University national poll released today. While 43 percent say the Senate would be justified
in voting against Roberts if he doesn't explain his position, 47 percent say the Senate would
not be justified.

American voters approve 44 - 27 percent, with 29 percent undecided, of President
George W. Bush's nomination of Roberts.

American voters support the Supreme Court's 1973 Roe v Wade decision 65 - 30
percent, the highest level of support in two years of national polls by the independent
Quinnipiac (KWIN-uh-pe-ack) University.

A total of 83 percent of voters say "the views of the majority of Americans" should
have a "great deal" or "some" influence on the Senate confirmation process. But only 35
percent of voters believe that majority views actually have any influence.

"Don't ask; don't tell? It don't work in this case. Voters to Roberts: We want to
know where you stand on Roe v Wade. Voters to the Senate: You should listen to us
when voting on Roberts, but you probably won't," said Maurice Carroll, Director of the
Quinnipiac University Polling Institute.

Looking at American voter attitudes about abortion, the poll finds:

20 percent say abortion should be legal in all cases;

37 percent say abortion should be legal in most cases;

24 percent say abortion should be illegal in most cases;

12 percent say abortion should be illegal in all cases.

While these findings represent a slight shift in favor of abortion, voters continue to
have notable exceptions:

70 - 24 percent in favor of a 24-hour waiting period for women seeking an
abortion;

74 - 21 percent in favor of parental notification before a minor can get an abortion;

76 - 15 percent against late-term or partial birth abortion except to save the life of
the mother.

"If the judges listen to the people, they'll stick with Roe v Wade but support the
three limitations that are talked about - parental notification, a waiting period and a ban
on partial-birth abortion," Carroll said.

"It's a clich‚ in the polling business: Even though only people from the ends of the
spectrum get the attention, Americans always poll in the middle on abortion."

President Bush's Approval

American voters disapprove of the job President George W. Bush is doing 53 - 41
percent, his lowest approval rating since becoming President. This compares to a 50 - 44
percent disapproval in a May 25 Quinnipiac University poll.

Voters disapprove 60 - 30 percent of the way Congress is doing its job and approve
50 - 39 percent of the way the Supreme Court is doing its job.

"The judges outscore the President and Congress on job performance," Carroll said.

From July 21 - 25, Quinnipiac University surveyed 920 registered voters nationwide.
The survey has a margin of error of +/- 3.2 percentage points.

The Quinnipiac University Poll, directed by Douglas Schwartz, Ph.D., conducts
public opinion surveys in New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, Florida and
nationwide as a public service and for research.

For additional data -- www.quinnipiac.edu or call (203) 582-5201

1. Do you approve or disapprove of the way George W. Bush is handling his
job as President?

8. Which comes closer to your point of view?
A) In making decisions, the Supreme Court should only consider the original
intentions of the authors of the constitution.
B) In making decisions, the Supreme Court should consider changing times
and current realities in applying the principles of the Constitution.

9. As you may know, a Supreme Court nominee needs to be confirmed by the
Senate. How much influence do you think the views of the majority of
Americans should have on the decision by the Senate on whether to confirm
John Roberts to the Supreme Court? A great deal, some, only a little, or
none at all?

10. How much influence do you think the views of the majority of Americans
actually have on the decision by the Senate on whether to confirm
John Roberts to the Supreme Court? A great deal, some, only a little
or none at all?

11. Should Senators support or oppose John Roberts' nomination to the
Supreme Court based only on whether he is qualified to be a justice, or
should they also consider his views on controversial issues like abortion
and the death penalty?